Farm Animal Days brings educational fun to kids

One of the most popular attractions was the pen filled with fluffy yellow chicks for kids to pet and hold.

Photos by Suzanne Stanard

What do you get when you cross a barn full of farm animals with hordes of shrieking children?

Farm Animal Days!

The College’s annual “throw open the barn doors” event drew more than 6,000 people over its three-day run this year. The goal of the educational event is for kids to interact with farm animals and learn more about agriculture.

The biggest draw was the pen filled with fluffy yellow chicks for kids to pet and hold. They also could pet rabbits, goats and sheep and climb into the pen with two pigs. Also on hand were cows, horses, turkeys and a bull.

Children also could learn to lasso a (dummy) steer and climb on tractors and other farm vehicles. Before leaving Farm Animal Days, everyone was invited to enjoy a free cup of N.C. State’s signature “Howling Cow” ice cream.